Meta will donate 15,000 pairs of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to blind and visually impaired people in Ireland. The devices will be distributed free of charge through Vision Ireland, a national charity that helps people with visual impairments.
To participate in the program, those interested need to register on the organization’s website. Vision Ireland will then determine who meets the conditions for receiving the device.
Ray-Ban Meta is equipped with a camera, speakers, and AI-powered features. Some of the glasses’ capabilities can be especially useful for people with visual impairments. In particular, the device can recognize objects around the user, read text aloud, and describe what is in front of them.
With the help of the glasses, users can also receive assistance in performing everyday tasks. For example, the device can describe the environment or help identify the desired object. In addition, the glasses can read out incoming messages, after which the user can ask Meta AI to prepare and send a response.
Meta has also integrated the glasses with the Be My Eyes service, which helps blind and visually impaired people contact volunteers. The user can call a volunteer directly through the glasses, and the volunteer will use their camera to see the environment and tell the person what to do.
In this way, volunteers can help, for example, choose clothes, find the right product in a store, or cope with other household tasks that require seeing objects or inscriptions.
At the same time, the Ray-Ban Meta has repeatedly become the subject of discussions about privacy. The glasses allow you to take first-person photos and videos, which has raised concerns that they could be used to discreetly record other people without their consent.
During recording, a special LED indicator on the frame should light up to warn others that the camera is on. However, third-party services have emerged that offer to disable or hide this indicator. Meta responded by saying that it will block the cameras in the glasses if the system detects interference with or damage to the indicator.
Separate questions have also arisen regarding the possible use of facial recognition technology. Wired previously found elements in the Meta AI application code that indicate that the company is at least considering adding such a function to its glasses. Meta has not officially announced the launch of this feature.
Despite the controversy surrounding privacy, Vision Ireland will use the devices’ capabilities primarily to help people with visual impairments in their daily lives.
The organization will independently select program participants. After receiving the Ray-Ban Meta, users will also receive in-person training, during which they will be taught how to use the glasses’ functions and provided with further support.
You can apply via the Vision Ireland website or by calling the organization’s special telephone line.